West Africa agribusiness opportunities are attracting attention from investors, development organizations and food-sector professionals. Across countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, agribusiness is becoming more than farming. It now includes food processing, branded packaged foods, sustainable packaging, cold-chain logistics and local supply chains. These areas matter because they can create jobs, improve food security and support poverty reduction.
The Role of Agribusiness in Economic Growth
The World Bank states that farming and agribusiness do more than feed people; they can support economic growth, reduce poverty and create jobs across production, processing, transport, trade and retail. This makes agribusiness important in West Africa, where agriculture remains closely linked to livelihoods and income generation.
Food insecurity also makes investment in food systems urgent. In January 2026, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that up to 52.8 million people in West Africa and the Sahel could face acute food insecurity during the June-to-August 2026 lean season if further action is not taken. The countries most at risk included Nigeria, Ghana and others in the region.
Investment and Growth in Agribusiness
One example of investor interest is Sahel Capital, a Lagos-based investment firm focused on food and agriculture. According to How We Made It in Africa, Sahel Capital launched the Sahel Capital Agribusiness Fund II, also known as SCAF II, to invest in agribusiness companies across Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. The fund had secured $29 million toward a $75 million target and planned to make investments ranging from $3 million to $15 million.
This shows that West Africa agribusiness opportunities are not limited to primary farming. The fund focuses on companies that can scale, improve food systems and strengthen local value chains. Sahel Capital’s previous investments also show how agribusiness finance can support growth in food processing and distribution. For example, Sahel invested in L&Z Integrated Farms, a dairy and yogurt producer in Kano, Nigeria. The African Private Capital Association reported that Sahel’s investment supported the expansion of the company’s processing plant and dairy farm.
Another previous investment was Coscharis Farms, a rice-processing business in Anambra State, Nigeria. According to How We Made It in Africa, Sahel’s investment helped finance processing facilities, expand cultivation and support a business model that bought rice from thousands of small-scale farmers. This type of investment can be important because it connects larger agribusinesses with local producers.
Opportunities in Branded Packaged Foods
One area of opportunity is branded packaged foods. As urban populations grow and consumer habits change, there is rising demand for food products that are safe, convenient, recognizable and easier to distribute. Sahel Capital’s first SCAF II investment was in Delifrost Caterers, a Nigerian company involved in packaged foods and cold-chain distribution. The African Private Capital Association reported that the investment was made alongside the fund’s first close and that Delifrost operates in integrated cold-chain distribution for packaged foods.
Branded packaged foods can support poverty reduction when companies source ingredients locally and work with farmers, suppliers and distributors. Instead of only selling raw agricultural products, local businesses can add value through processing, branding, storage and packaging. This can create more jobs across the value chain.
Insights From Terence Unogwemoh Egwaogie
The Borgen Project spoke with Terence Unogwemoh Egwaogie, a Caritas volunteer based in Austria, in an email interview about food systems, agribusiness and poverty reduction. Through his volunteer work, Egwaogie supports vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness and poverty. He said this work has developed his interest in food systems, community development and poverty reduction.
Egwaogie explained that West Africa has “enormous agricultural potential” because of its fertile land, growing population and high demand for food. He said investment in agribusiness can increase food production, create employment, reduce poverty and improve food security. His comments show why agribusiness is not only a business issue but also a development issue.
Countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal are attractive for agribusiness growth because they have large agricultural markets, favorable climates and natural resources. Egwaogie also noted that some governments are introducing policies to encourage agricultural investment and improve food production. This is important because private investment often works best when supported by public policy, infrastructure and training.
Sustainable Packaging and Cold-Chain Logistics
Sustainable packaging is another important part of West Africa agribusiness opportunities. Packaging helps protect food during transport, preserve quality and extend shelf life. However, packaging can also create environmental problems if it depends heavily on non-recyclable materials. Egwaogie said sustainable packaging can reduce food waste, protect products during transportation and minimize pollution by encouraging recyclable or biodegradable materials.
Cold-chain logistics can also reduce food loss. FAO says cold chains help keep food fresher and more nutritious from farm to fork. This is especially important for perishable foods such as dairy, meat, vegetables and frozen products. In West Africa, better cold storage and transport can help food businesses reach more consumers while reducing spoilage.
Support for Smallholder Farmers
Agribusiness investment can also support smallholder farmers. Egwaogie explained that investment can provide farmers with improved seeds, equipment, affordable loans, organic fertilizers, training, storage facilities and better transportation. These forms of support can increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ incomes.
However, agribusinesses in West Africa still face serious challenges. Egwaogie identified limited mechanized farming, inadequate storage and processing facilities, poor road infrastructure, limited access to finance, climate change and insufficient agricultural education as major barriers. These challenges show why investment alone is not enough. Agribusiness growth also requires infrastructure, skills development and better access to finance.
The World Bank’s recent work in Nigeria shows the importance of strengthening agricultural value chains. In March 2026, the World Bank approved a $500 million credit for Nigeria’s Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth Project, which aims to increase smallholder farmer productivity, strengthen agricultural value chains, create jobs and improve food and nutrition security.
Inclusive Growth for Poverty Reduction
For agribusiness growth to reduce poverty, it must be inclusive. Egwaogie said agribusiness can create jobs and income-generating opportunities across the agricultural value chain, especially for young people, women and rural communities. This is important because poverty reduction depends not only on business growth but also on who benefits from that growth.
West Africa agribusiness opportunities in branded foods, sustainable packaging and food processing have the potential to support food security and economic development. Investment can help businesses scale, improve supply chains and create employment. However, the greatest impact will come when agribusinesses work with smallholder farmers, support local suppliers, reduce food waste and create opportunities for communities most affected by poverty.
Agribusiness alone cannot end poverty in West Africa, but it can form part of a wider solution. When investment is linked to local sourcing, sustainable packaging, cold-chain logistics, training and fair access to markets, the region’s food sector can become a stronger driver of poverty reduction.
– Josephine Dokpesi
Josephine is based in Luton, UK and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Unsplash
How ART:DIS in Singapore is Helping People with Disabilities
People With Disabilities in Singapore
Singapore’s disability rates for students, people ages 18-49, and people over 50 are 2.1%, 3.4%, and 13.3% of their populations respectively. Among residents with disabilities between the working ages of 15 to 64 in 2023 and 2024, around 34.7% were employed, with 3.6% having no job but currently looking for one. The remaining 61.8% were not considered in the labor force, many citing poor health or disability as the leading cause.
Benefits in Singapore for People With Disabilities
Singapore has several initiatives to help people with disabilities, including the Open Door Programme, which allows people with disabilities to gain a “year of job matching, and customised employment support” from experts. Grants under the same program also give subsidies to people with disabilities to go to training programs led by Enabling Academy, SG Enable’s disability learning hub.
SG Enable – an agency established by the Ministry of Social and Family Development focusing on inclusion and disabilities – with its partners, provided around 500 people with disabilities jobs each year between 2020 and 2022.
Employers can also gain wage support via the Enabling Employment Credit (EEC), a scheme by the government, which gives 20% wage support for people with disabilities making less than $4,000 per month. In 2022, almost 6,600 organizations gained the EEC and together employed over 10,000 people with disabilities.
About ART:DIS and When It Was Founded
ART:DIS is a nonprofit organization aimed at providing educational and livelihood opportunities to people with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities through the arts. Professor Tommy Koh founded ART:DIS in Singapore in 1993. ART:DIS organizes art partnerships, showcases and events to help people with disabilities in the future. ART:DIS also provides a platform where people with disabilities can express themselves, gain confidence and be part of a community.
How ART:DIS in Singapore Is Helping People With Disabilities
During the 2024 to 2025 financial year, ART:DIS helped 992 people and made more than $600,000 for their artists. In the same year (according to its annual report), ART:DIS was able to sustain three art centres, 91 regular art programmes, and it hosted 44 showcases, exhibitions and performances. Donations towards ART:DIS in Singapore go toward supporting training, mentorship and opportunities for artists with disabilities, giving them pathways to meaningful creative work, income opportunities and greater independence.
ART:DIS in Singapore uses the Social Model of Disability, which holds that barriers in society prevent people with disabilities from advancing further, rather than its own condition being the cause. This stands in contrast to the Medical Model, which treats people with disabilities as needing medical attention, and the Charity Model, which frames people with disabilities as objects of pity or as inspiring figures to be admired.
ART:DIS, using the Social Model, wants to normalize including people with disabilities. The organization wants to change the physical, attitudinal and communication barriers and raise access to ensure that people with disabilities can participate in society equally. One way that ART:DIS implements the Social Model is through providing different ways of learning, training and collaborating, adapted to suit each student’s and artist’s accessibility needs.
According to an ART:DIS feature, art helps reveal the individual “strengths and perspectives” that people with disabilities possess. It also enables people to understand who the people behind the artworks are. Art can also help increase self-confidence, “personal growth, social inclusion, and mental health benefits,” according to an article by Incluso. Moreover, art improves fine motor skills, coordination, communication and comprehension.
Helping People With Disabilities and Reducing Poverty
People with disabilities are more likely to face poverty compared to those without disabilities; however, ART:DIS in Singapore aims to combat this via helping their artists become financially independent. ART:DIS provides artists with disabilities programs which enable them to upskill towards professionalism. In the 2024/2025 year, ART:DIS gave 316 job opportunities to artists with disabilities, helping them build greater livelihood independence.
When people with disabilities receive skills training, like ART:DIS provides, they gain economic independence, helping end the cycle of poverty. A Harvard paper defines poverty as “a cause and consequence of disability.” If poverty is a consequence of disability, then helping people with disabilities can also help decrease poverty more broadly.
Looking Ahead
Instead of coming “from a place of deficit” when talking about people with disabilities, ART:DIS sees people with disabilities for what they can uniquely bring to the table. Through hosting events and programs, ART:DIS is aiming to change the narrative of people with disabilities, from what was once a dull story to one that is filled with brightness, optimism and color
– Sahana Sundar
Photo: Unsplash
Backpacker Tourism: The Crux for Alleviating Poverty in Laos
Like the unexploded ordnance buried deep within the land, the scars of poverty and economic underdevelopment linger in Laos. Economic recovery has gained traction in the last two decades. The World Bank recorded a decrease in the national poverty rate from 27.6% to 18.3% between 2007 and 2018. That trend continues despite a sharp decrease in tourism due to COVID-19. Foreign investment, primarily from neighboring China, has prompted large infrastructural developments, increasing connectivity. Economically, progress is evident. However, the government sees tourism as the most promising sector: an untapped resource helping to alleviate poverty nationwide.
Current Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaket is leading the development of Laos’ tourism growth. “Tourism,” she asserts, “is a sector prioritized by the Party and State to stimulate economic growth.” Her plan is to “stimulate economic growth by harnessing the nation’s rich tourism potential,” and this has been actioned via a set of 10-year plans focused on regions in Laos harboring the richest promise.
Vang Vieng: The Tourism Blueprint for Laos
The first of these 10-year plans is set in the backpacker capital Vang Vieng. Nestled in the Vientiane Province, Vang Vieng has been crucial for producing one of the lowest poverty headcounts in Laos. Its strategic location between two renowned destinations, Luang Prabang and Vientiane, has allowed tourism to prosper; recent infrastructural developments compound upon this, improving access by road and rail.
Vang Vieng-based publican Gary O’Donoghue has owned his Irish-Laos bar for 18 years and has witnessed tourism-driven developments in the area. Speaking to The Borgen Project, O’Donoghue noted that “during the early stages, most backpackers came specifically to go tubing,” back when “it really was a party town.” Vang Vieng has utilized its reputation as a party hub for backpacking tourists, now attracting foreign visitors for its expansive options for outdoor activities. From tubing and hiking to paragliding and hot air balloons, Vang Vieng offers a plethora of activities.
Under the Master Plan, Vang Vieng has moved toward diversifying its tourism. The government noted that historically, the region showed an “over-reliance on the cheaper-end, lower-spending Western backpacker markets” which has been the predominant demographic of visitors. However, through adherence to ASEAN tourism standards, lifting industry safety standards, the region expects to see that demographic diversify. O’Donoghue’s insights reflect on “the new infrastructure” which has “encouraged people of all ages to come here.” Hard infrastructure developments like the high-speed rail and express road, he comments, have “been a massive game changer,” along with the recent development of “several high-end hotels.”
Government records in Vang Vieng reflect positive growth under the Master Plan. By 2033, Laos PDR forecasts up to 741,535 annual visitors, producing approximately $75 million in direct expenditure. Such numbers would see tourism contribute to over 40% of GDP and could generate 4,500 direct jobs. Significant opportunities would not only be limited to the higher-paid service sector but would indirectly develop the agricultural, manufacturing, and construction sectors. O’Donoghue stresses how vital international tourism is for the local community. During COVID-19, he notes, “the entire community was desperate for tourism to come back. Tourism creates a lot of jobs, and without it this area would struggle badly.” Impacts trickle down, not only creating jobs but promoting better and more sustainable urban planning in the town, increases in education opportunities, and local participation in administration. Tourism has bolstered both opportunity and quality of life for local people.
Following Suit: The Spread of Tourism
Tourism has proved crucial to alleviating poverty here. Elsewhere in Laos, the poverty headcount remains high. Almost a quarter of the population of Luang Prabang province remain in poverty. Champassak province to the south has an upper limit of 18.8% of its population in poverty. Both governmental and local initiatives to alleviate poverty in these regions center on tourism.
Mirroring the Master Plan for Vang Vieng, Viyaket has proposed a Master Plan focused on the Don-Det and Don Khon Area between 2026-2036. The region, situated in the southern province of Champassak, is home to the uniquely beautiful “Four Thousand Island” area. Tourism development focuses on the area’s nature-based attractions and local way of life, with hard infrastructure being implemented mindfully to mitigate negative impacts of development along the Mekong River. The government has outlined zoning plans and development guidelines to manage tourism influxes sustainably. The plan indicates that the government is attempting to spread similar benefits to those reaped by Vang Vieng to alleviate poverty elsewhere in Laos.
Despite no official government-led plans being implemented in Luang Prabang’s northern communities, areas such as Nong Khiaw are driving a tourism boom independently. Locally run schemes such as Yensabai Organic Farm are capitalizing on the region’s agricultural industry, promoting “agritourism.” Tourists are invited to stay at the farm, working the land alongside Laos locals. Five percent of the profits are donated to the local community.
Travel blogs such as Indie Traveller are advertising Nong Khiaw as an off-the-beaten-path destination that is home to unique and authentic opportunities. Just outside of UNESCO World Heritage Site Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw offers a hotspot of ecotourism in Northern Laos. From Pha Daeng Peak and Som Nang Viewpoint to Pho Tok Caves and the hundred waterfall tour, Nong Khiaw is driving a decentralized economic boom in one of Laos’ most rural and underdeveloped regions.
Southeast Asia’s Rising Star
Laos has already seen tourism increase by an astounding 21% between 2023 and 2024. This is before the implementation of the government’s Master Plans. In 2026, experts recorded that high transport and accommodation costs in Southeast Asia are the most significant limiter to increasing tourism. With Laos’ reputation for affordability, especially compared to tourist hotspots Thailand and Vietnam, Laos is set to become a bucket list destination. This anticipated boom in tourism is set to alleviate poverty nationwide.
– Millie Lavington-Owen
Photo: Flickr
Women in India’s Cybersecurity Workforce
Cybersecurity as an Economic Pillar
Cybersecurity is a pillar of economic stability, national security and a source of public trust, according to UN Women. However, women are largely excluded from the field, which is particularly striking given that women make up 48% of India’s population, with current estimates placing the population at approximately 702 million, according to United Nations population data.
How Big the Problem Is in India
The demand for professionals working in cybersecurity in India has increased by roughly 215% between the first and second half of fiscal year 2024 (FY24) alone, according to Quess Corp. Recruitment firm TeamLease Digital projects that women’s participation across India’s tech workforce as a whole will only reach 14.9% by 2027, up from 10.8% in 2022, with roughly 1.92 million women currently working in Indian tech. Within cybersecurity specifically, industry body NASSCOM has noted that women make up only around 25% of the global workforce, and that women in India’s cybersecurity workforce has stayed largely the same even as job openings have multiplied.
There are other promising signs to note. Deloitte India’s Megha Goyal has pointed to roughly a 10 percentage point rise in women’s share of the country’s cybersecurity workforce over the past five to six years. Policies that are more parental-friendly and flexible aid in this. This issue highlights many challenges such as patchy access to technical education, bias in hiring and promotion, workplace discrimination, and a disproportionate share of unpaid caregiving. In India, geographical factors exacerbate these issues. Much of the country’s engineering talent, including a large share of its women graduates, comes from smaller tier II and tier III cities where exposure to cybersecurity as a career path is limited.
The Poverty Cost of the Gap
The cost of leaving women out of cybersecurity is not just a workforce statistic. It shows up in the bank accounts of India’s poorest households. Indians lost an estimated ₹22,495 crore (about $2.7 billion) to cyber fraud in 2025, with complaints rising 24% to roughly 2.81 million cases, according to government data. Research on victim patterns consistently finds that rural users, first-time digital adopters, and lower-income, lower-education households are the most vulnerable, targeted through UPI PIN scams, fake QR codes and task-based fraud schemes that exploit gaps in digital literacy rather than technical sophistication.
That vulnerability compounds existing poverty. A single scam can wipe out a family’s monthly income or the savings set aside for school fees or medical care, and the resulting distrust of digital tools can push already marginalized households away from the banking and government services meant to include them. A cybersecurity workforce that reflects the population it protects, including the rural and semi-urban communities many women technologists come from, is better positioned to design fraud protections and awareness campaigns that actually reach those communities. Bringing more women into the field, in other words, is a poverty-reduction strategy as much as a diversity one.
Why Different Teams Make Better Defenses
Cybersecurity researchers, in studies cited by ISC2 and UN Women, consistently find that mixed teams are better at spotting and responding to threats, and that systems built with women involved tend to serve a broader range of users well. This matters more given how disproportionately women and girls experience online harassment, cyberstalking and digital abuse.
Sarba Roy, a cybersecurity professional with 13 years of experience across India, Europe and the United States, has described a real shift in how companies think about this. Writing for ISC2’s Insights series, she pointed to a growing recognition that diverse teams make organizations more creative, improve decision-making and sharpen risk judgment. “Diverse teams improve creativity, decision making and risk mitigation,” she wrote, adding that an inclusive and diverse cybersecurity workforce “is not an option but a necessity given the multitude of attack vectors from across the world.”
India’s Own Pipeline: CyberShikshaa
CyberShikshaa is a joint program run by Microsoft and the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) that has been in operation since 2018. One of its core initiatives is to train women engineering graduates from tier II and tier III cities and rural areas, in a four-month, full-time cybersecurity curriculum covering cryptography, network security, application security and digital forensics, backed by India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT.
The program’s eligibility rules tie it directly to poverty reduction: candidates must come from families earning below ₹7 lakh a year, or roughly $10,000, meaning it specifically targets women who would otherwise have the least access to a field that pays well above that threshold.
Since launch, more than 800 women from over 90 cities have completed the flagship training, with a placement rate of around 60% into roles across large technology firms, financial institutions, startups and law enforcement. Separately, NASSCOM Foundation has partnered with NortonLifeLock on a similar skills initiative, graduating 232 women engineers into the field.
The human impact behind these numbers is real. One graduate traveled more than 1,000 kilometers from her hometown to train at the program’s Noida center and landed a job at a multinational IT risk-management firm in Mumbai four months later. Another put it simply: “CyberShikshaa not only trained me for my career, but also instilled the belief in me that with the right direction I can reach great heights.”
A Safer Digital India
UN Women’s broader argument is that excluding women from cybersecurity leadership makes it harder for the world to respond to digital threats collectively. For India, where financial systems, health care infrastructure and government services are all rapidly digitizing, that argument carries particular weight.
Bringing more women into India’s cybersecurity workforce is not simply a fairness goal. It is one of the more practical steps the country can take to secure the systems its economy and its citizens increasingly depend on. Programs like CyberShikshaa show what that looks like in practice, and are worth scaling further.
– Jamie Noone
Photo: Flickr
Response to the US Embargo on Cuba
The History of US Sanctions on Cuba
The United States (U.S.) has a long history of sanctioning and embargoing Cuba, starting with an embargo on Cuban sugar imports implemented by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960. Historically, the sanctions aimed to push Cuba toward a free market-based capitalist economy, among other reasons.
President Donald Trump, in his second term, increased the severity of these sanctions. According to the U.S. government, Cuba is a threat to U.S. foreign policy and national security, and the Cuban government is “repugnant to the moral and political values of free and democratic societies.” U.S. officials have framed the sanctions as a pressure campaign intended to push political change in Cuba, citing the government’s human rights record and its historical seizure of U.S.-owned assets. Critics of the sanctions, including U.N. officials and international observers, argue that the measures amount to collective punishment that falls hardest on ordinary Cubans rather than the government itself.
Effect of the Recent Blockade on Poverty
Cuba has dealt with a high level of poverty for a long time. Many argue that this is due to socialist policy, while others point to the sanctions and embargoes through the years as the main cause. Even before the recent embargo, a study by Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos at the end of 2025 revealed that 89% of Cubans were living in poverty. Twelve percent of the population could not afford medical supplies, even before the recent blockade, and 13% could not access them due to shortages.
On Jan. 29, 2026, the U.S. established a mechanism to impose additional tariffs on imports from nations that provide oil to Cuba. The U.S. has seized almost all oil tankers headed for Cuba since the blockade began. Only one, sent by Russia, reached Cuba. This oil blockade has further strained the country’s energy supply and overall poverty levels.
The lack of fuel means that major buildings such as hospitals struggle to function due to blackouts. According to the U.N., more than 100,000 people are awaiting surgery, including 11,000 children. Pregnant women are among the most at risk, with more than 32,000 struggling to access transportation and diagnostics. A stable supply of electricity is vital for lifesaving equipment in neonatal units.
Furthermore, these blackouts cause more than 3.1 million Cubans to face interruptions to their water supply. The water system operates with only 37% of the required fuel. Many residents get their supply from tanker trucks, which need fuel. With the shortage, people wait days for their water to arrive. Low-income communities, children, and the elderly are the most affected by the shortage.
International Response to the US Embargo of Cuba
Global actions reflect the international community’s evolving response to the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The most notable effort is the Nuestra América convoy that set off from Mexico to Cuba at the end of March 2026. This convoy comprised multiple boats traveling to Cuba with essential humanitarian aid and medical supplies. They brought medical supplies to one of Cuba’s most important hospitals, Hermanos Ameijeiras. They partnered with members of the LGBTQ community and distributed essential aid accordingly. To address the food shortage, food was delivered to families in Parque Maceo. This convoy was one of the most prominent aid deliveries of 2026.
A notable participant was streamer Hasan Piker, who served as a figurehead for the convoy, bringing significant attention to the cause and international sympathy. He has since been subpoenaed by the U.S. government in connection with an investigation into possible sanctions violations. Piker’s supporters have characterized the subpoena as retaliatory, while U.S. officials have not publicly detailed the basis for the investigation; the matter remains unresolved.
Providing humanitarian aid has not been the only form of resistance outside of Cuba. In Ireland, multiple groups have organized protests and campaigns against the actions of the U.S.
Since February 2026, pro-Cuban organizations have marched or held talks about the effects of the embargo. A pro-Cuba bloc joined forces with a pro-Palestine protest at the Garden of Remembrance in County Dublin. The Communist Party of Dublin distributed pamphlets demanding an end to the “illegal U.S. blockade of Cuba.”
Other resistance groups such as Libres Éire and the Workers Party of Ireland have also held similar demonstrations. These protests have pushed some members of the Irish government to speak out on the matter. A Sinn Féin Teachta Dála (member of parliament) called on the government to speak out against the actions of the U.S., after the Department of Foreign Affairs warned citizens not to visit Cuba due to safety concerns.
Local Response to the US Embargo of Cuba
The recent surge in poverty-related issues is prompting locals to find creative ways to alleviate the effects. One outcome of the fuel shortage is trash buildup. With state-run garbage trucks out of commission due to the lack of fuel, rubbish has started to accumulate across Havana. This has attracted rats, flies, and a general stench. Health officials worry about disease-carrying insects becoming a concern with rising summer heat and rain.
The buildup has urged locals to clean up neighborhoods themselves. One initiative is El Batazo. Some members sweep the streets, while a collector rings a bell twice daily to indicate to people to pick up household rubbish. Aluminum, glass, and other recyclable raw materials are sold. To help feed livestock, food scraps are repurposed, and remaining rubbish is put in a container for later transport to a landfill. Although initiatives like this are helping solve the problem, the health concerns due to the buildup remain a worry.
Looking Ahead
The humanitarian toll on ordinary Cubans has drawn growing international attention, driven in part by efforts like the Nuestra América convoy, which brought Hasan Piker’s large online following to the story, and by protests such as those in Ireland calling on governments to speak out. Local initiatives like El Batazo illustrate how communities are adapting to shortages in the meantime. Whether these pressures shift U.S. or Cuban government policy remains to be seen, but they underscore how deeply the standoff continues to affect daily life on the island.
– Oisín Downes
Photo: Flickr
From Nigeria to Senegal: West Africa Agribusiness Opportunities
The Role of Agribusiness in Economic Growth
The World Bank states that farming and agribusiness do more than feed people; they can support economic growth, reduce poverty and create jobs across production, processing, transport, trade and retail. This makes agribusiness important in West Africa, where agriculture remains closely linked to livelihoods and income generation.
Food insecurity also makes investment in food systems urgent. In January 2026, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that up to 52.8 million people in West Africa and the Sahel could face acute food insecurity during the June-to-August 2026 lean season if further action is not taken. The countries most at risk included Nigeria, Ghana and others in the region.
Investment and Growth in Agribusiness
One example of investor interest is Sahel Capital, a Lagos-based investment firm focused on food and agriculture. According to How We Made It in Africa, Sahel Capital launched the Sahel Capital Agribusiness Fund II, also known as SCAF II, to invest in agribusiness companies across Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. The fund had secured $29 million toward a $75 million target and planned to make investments ranging from $3 million to $15 million.
This shows that West Africa agribusiness opportunities are not limited to primary farming. The fund focuses on companies that can scale, improve food systems and strengthen local value chains. Sahel Capital’s previous investments also show how agribusiness finance can support growth in food processing and distribution. For example, Sahel invested in L&Z Integrated Farms, a dairy and yogurt producer in Kano, Nigeria. The African Private Capital Association reported that Sahel’s investment supported the expansion of the company’s processing plant and dairy farm.
Another previous investment was Coscharis Farms, a rice-processing business in Anambra State, Nigeria. According to How We Made It in Africa, Sahel’s investment helped finance processing facilities, expand cultivation and support a business model that bought rice from thousands of small-scale farmers. This type of investment can be important because it connects larger agribusinesses with local producers.
Opportunities in Branded Packaged Foods
One area of opportunity is branded packaged foods. As urban populations grow and consumer habits change, there is rising demand for food products that are safe, convenient, recognizable and easier to distribute. Sahel Capital’s first SCAF II investment was in Delifrost Caterers, a Nigerian company involved in packaged foods and cold-chain distribution. The African Private Capital Association reported that the investment was made alongside the fund’s first close and that Delifrost operates in integrated cold-chain distribution for packaged foods.
Branded packaged foods can support poverty reduction when companies source ingredients locally and work with farmers, suppliers and distributors. Instead of only selling raw agricultural products, local businesses can add value through processing, branding, storage and packaging. This can create more jobs across the value chain.
Insights From Terence Unogwemoh Egwaogie
The Borgen Project spoke with Terence Unogwemoh Egwaogie, a Caritas volunteer based in Austria, in an email interview about food systems, agribusiness and poverty reduction. Through his volunteer work, Egwaogie supports vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness and poverty. He said this work has developed his interest in food systems, community development and poverty reduction.
Egwaogie explained that West Africa has “enormous agricultural potential” because of its fertile land, growing population and high demand for food. He said investment in agribusiness can increase food production, create employment, reduce poverty and improve food security. His comments show why agribusiness is not only a business issue but also a development issue.
Countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal are attractive for agribusiness growth because they have large agricultural markets, favorable climates and natural resources. Egwaogie also noted that some governments are introducing policies to encourage agricultural investment and improve food production. This is important because private investment often works best when supported by public policy, infrastructure and training.
Sustainable Packaging and Cold-Chain Logistics
Sustainable packaging is another important part of West Africa agribusiness opportunities. Packaging helps protect food during transport, preserve quality and extend shelf life. However, packaging can also create environmental problems if it depends heavily on non-recyclable materials. Egwaogie said sustainable packaging can reduce food waste, protect products during transportation and minimize pollution by encouraging recyclable or biodegradable materials.
Cold-chain logistics can also reduce food loss. FAO says cold chains help keep food fresher and more nutritious from farm to fork. This is especially important for perishable foods such as dairy, meat, vegetables and frozen products. In West Africa, better cold storage and transport can help food businesses reach more consumers while reducing spoilage.
Support for Smallholder Farmers
Agribusiness investment can also support smallholder farmers. Egwaogie explained that investment can provide farmers with improved seeds, equipment, affordable loans, organic fertilizers, training, storage facilities and better transportation. These forms of support can increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ incomes.
However, agribusinesses in West Africa still face serious challenges. Egwaogie identified limited mechanized farming, inadequate storage and processing facilities, poor road infrastructure, limited access to finance, climate change and insufficient agricultural education as major barriers. These challenges show why investment alone is not enough. Agribusiness growth also requires infrastructure, skills development and better access to finance.
The World Bank’s recent work in Nigeria shows the importance of strengthening agricultural value chains. In March 2026, the World Bank approved a $500 million credit for Nigeria’s Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth Project, which aims to increase smallholder farmer productivity, strengthen agricultural value chains, create jobs and improve food and nutrition security.
Inclusive Growth for Poverty Reduction
For agribusiness growth to reduce poverty, it must be inclusive. Egwaogie said agribusiness can create jobs and income-generating opportunities across the agricultural value chain, especially for young people, women and rural communities. This is important because poverty reduction depends not only on business growth but also on who benefits from that growth.
West Africa agribusiness opportunities in branded foods, sustainable packaging and food processing have the potential to support food security and economic development. Investment can help businesses scale, improve supply chains and create employment. However, the greatest impact will come when agribusinesses work with smallholder farmers, support local suppliers, reduce food waste and create opportunities for communities most affected by poverty.
Agribusiness alone cannot end poverty in West Africa, but it can form part of a wider solution. When investment is linked to local sourcing, sustainable packaging, cold-chain logistics, training and fair access to markets, the region’s food sector can become a stronger driver of poverty reduction.
– Josephine Dokpesi
Photo: Unsplash
Child Welfare Initiatives in East Africa
Deinstitutionalization Efforts
The number of children growing up in institutional care remains a problem across East Africa. In Kenya alone, it is estimated that 30 to 45% of orphans end up in institutions, leaving them vulnerable, especially as child abuse in care homes is six times higher than in a normal family environment. In Kenya, children account for 50% of the country’s population.
Growing up in care can impact children psychologically and socially. They have a higher risk of being homeless and a lack of educational and employment opportunities, creating a cycle of poverty. To address these challenges, Transform Alliance Africa works with governments in East Africa to improve child welfare systems across the region. In Kenya, they have assisted in creating guidelines for Alternative Family Care, meaning children are raised in a safe and nurturing home. In Rwanda, the organization trained 75 professionals, including social workers and psychologists who can help orphaned children.
Community-Based Child Protection Programs
Community-based child protection programs are most effective when local communities identify risks and actively support vulnerable families. In Uganda, reports show that around 700 child abuse cases are reported every three months and 56% of children are living in poverty. Addressing this issue, Save the Children Uganda has trained 13 social welfare officers and over 700 para-social workers to support vulnerable children within the country. These trained community workers help identify children at risk and intervene before situations escalate into abuse or neglect. In 2024, the organization helped over 78,000 children in Uganda, demonstrating how child welfare initiatives in East Africa are helping to create safer environments for vulnerable children.
Education for Vulnerable Children
Access to education remains a challenge for many children across East Africa, particularly in Ethiopia, where UNICEF reports that 90% of 10-year-olds cannot read or write. This poses many challenges to the children as they grow older, as limited access to education can reduce employment opportunities and increase the risk of poverty in adulthood. With the help of the Ministry of Education, UNICEF is strengthening the school curriculum, which, in turn, will help over 26 million children. Along with this, a World Bank program called AIM4LEARNING is aiming to introduce technology to enhance education and fund basic education across East Africa. The program will be implemented over 10 years and the first phase will focus on Ethiopia and Comoros. Together, these programs highlight how child welfare initiatives in East Africa are giving young people access to opportunities that can break the cycle of poverty, improving long-term outcomes for vulnerable children.
Looking Ahead
Although children in East Africa continue to face challenges such as poverty, separation from family and limited access to education, organizations are working to improve outcomes through various programs in the region. From promoting deinstitutionalization, strengthening community programs and improving the education systems, these efforts are helping vulnerable children build a future. As these child welfare initiatives in East Africa continue to grow, they have the potential to break poverty cycles and create lasting changes.
– Emma Wheeler
Photo: Flickr
Community Health Workers in Rwanda Are Improving Rural Health
Bringing Health Care to Rural Communities
Rwanda’s Community Health Worker Program was established in 1995 following the 1994 genocide and has expanded steadily under the country’s Ministry of Health. Today, approximately 58,000 community health workers serve communities across Rwanda. The program is supported by partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Health Builders, which help provide training, supervision and technical support. Community health workers receive training to monitor pregnancies, identify illnesses, promote vaccinations and connect patients with health facilities when additional care is needed. Because they live in the communities they serve, they can identify health concerns early, educate families and encourage people to seek treatment before illnesses become more serious. This approach has helped reduce barriers to health care for low-income families who may otherwise struggle with transportation costs or long travel distances to clinics.
According to the WHO, Rwanda has made remarkable progress in maternal and child health over the past two decades. Maternal mortality declined from more than 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to approximately 203 in 2020. During the same period, under-five mortality also declined significantly, reflecting major improvements in community-based health services and access to primary care.
Improving Maternal and Child Health
One of the program’s greatest successes has been improving maternal and child health. Community health workers track pregnancies, encourage prenatal checkups and identify warning signs that require medical attention. They also educate parents about nutrition, breastfeeding and childhood illnesses while helping children receive routine vaccinations.
According to UNICEF, Rwanda has achieved consistently high childhood vaccination coverage while significantly reducing under-five mortality during the past two decades. Researchers have also found that community health workers have contributed to reductions in maternal mortality by connecting pregnant women with health facilities, encouraging skilled birth attendance and ensuring timely referrals when complications arise. These services are especially important for families living in poverty, where delayed treatment or limited access to medical care can have life-threatening consequences. By delivering preventive care directly within communities, community health workers help reduce health inequalities and improve access to essential services for thousands of Rwandan families.
A Model Recognized Around the World
The success of community health workers in Rwanda has gained international recognition. The World Bank reports that Rwanda has met or exceeded many global health targets by emphasizing preventive care, community participation and strong primary health care systems. Technology has also strengthened the program. Rwanda introduced RapidSMS, a mobile phone reporting system that allows community health workers to register pregnancies, monitor expectant mothers and quickly report high-risk cases to nearby health facilities.
The system has improved communication between villages and health centers, helping mothers and newborns receive care more quickly when complications arise. As countries continue searching for ways to improve access to health care, community health workers in Rwanda demonstrate how investing in community-based medicine can improve health outcomes while reducing the barriers created by poverty. By bringing essential services directly into underserved communities, Rwanda has created a sustainable model that continues to save lives and offers valuable lessons for other developing countries seeking to strengthen their health systems.
– Masa Qasim
Photo: Flickr
Diseases Impacting Venezuela
Of Venezuela’s 31.7 million population, 20 million (63.1%) already lived in poverty, population susceptibility to contracting infectious diseases was high due to no government epidemiological bulletin publications since 2016 and early economic loss predictions outlines costs of 7% of Venezuela’s $111 billion GDP. Structural losses immediately exacerbated the issue of infectious diseases impacting Venezuelan earthquake victims through eliminating their access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, healthcare workers, hospitals, adequate medical care and nutritious food. Increasing earthquake victims’ susceptibility to infectious diseases such as measles, dengue and yellow fever, malaria, diarrhea and skin infections.
Concerns
Solutions
Looking Ahead
June 2026 publications painted a grave picture of what presently, and in the future lay ahead for Venezuela, its pre-earthquake impoverished population of 20 million and its healthcare services. Earthquake destruction zone infectious disease challenges clearly reside, yet by both national and international aid recognizing this issue, prompt economic, shelter and medical relief has advanced future stability against the multitude of current factors that encourage the problem of infectious diseases impacting Venezuela.
– Oliver Jones
Photo: Flickr
Alleviating Poverty Through Criminal Justice Reform in Uganda
The Poverty Trap
According to the World Prison Brief, 79,698 people are imprisoned in Uganda. Approximately 46% are pre-trial detainees, revealing a massive hidden tax on the nation’s poorest families. If an individual cannot afford legal representation or bail, they are held in pre-trial detention for months, or even years. If the individual is a primary wage earner, their dependents then lose their primary income, guiding them further into poverty.
The financial instability of the poor is exacerbated by the application of Section 40 of the Civil Procedure Act. While the law intends for civil imprisonment to be a last resort for those who have the money but refuse to pay, in practice, lower courts often jail people simply for being unable to pay their debts. This policy carries a paradox: an individual cannot work because they do not have the means to pay, but they are unable to make money due to the inability to work. This ensures that the debt is never repaid, and the individual is trapped in a cycle of poverty. The Uganda Prisons Service reported that civil debtors increased by 13.3% in July 2025, rising from 581 to 658. Chapter Four Uganda claims this rushed sentencing violates international law and strengthens cycles of poverty.
Penal Reform International
Fortunately, Penal Reform International (PRI) is a non-governmental organization working tirelessly to enact criminal justice reform in Uganda. The group was founded in 1989 by a collection of London-based human rights activists, all outraged about the growing popularity of the death penalty and systemic discrimination. Since its inception, PRI has impacted more than 90 countries and notably collaborated with the U.N. to create the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, otherwise known as the Nelson Mandela Rules. The organization utilizes global advocacy and local cooperation to dismantle unequal prison structures like cash bail that trap low-income households into inescapable cycles of poverty.
In 2024, PRI’s initiatives directly protected the economic stability of thousands:
Incarcerated Women in Uganda
The economic impact of the justice system is disproportionately felt by women. Research by PRI in 2015 showed that 76% of female prisoners in Uganda identify as poor, and 32% never received formal education.
A common barrier to rehabilitation is a lack of employable skills; thus, PRI offers vocational training to foster financial independence post-release. In 2024, 45 women at Fort Portal Women’s Prison participated in carpentry and culinary arts classes to build valuable experience. Moreover, entrepreneurship training was offered to women in Jinja Prison, a newly innovative kind of criminal justice reform. Start-up packs, which contained seed funding, were handed out to participants who would soon return home. In total, 101 women have received entrepreneurship training and start-up packs since the program’s inception in 2021. In 2024, 60% of participants received formal business certification. Penal Reform International has demonstrated that when the justice system prioritizes rehabilitation over incarceration, it can create building blocks for a sustainable, poverty-free future.
Looking Ahead
These initiatives foster hope for the future of criminal justice reform. By equipping individuals with alternatives to incarceration and employable skills, Penal Reform International directly tackles the root causes of poverty. The tangible results of these efforts, which affect hundreds of lives, demonstrate a reformed criminal justice system that can encourage economic empowerment. In this way, the building blocks for a sustainable future have been placed for countless people across Uganda.
– Julia Sanders
Photo: Flickr
How a Solar Project is Reducing Poverty in Cali, Colombia
In 2025, President Gustavo Petro’s government took action to lower their bills by implementing renewable energy as a cost-effective solution, and it is working. To address increasing household expenses in Colombia’s third-largest metropolitan area, Cali, the government collaborated with local utility program EMCALI to push the Hogares Energéticamente Sostenibles (Energy-Sustainable Homes) initiative, or Colombia Solar. The project’s goal extended beyond implementing sustainable energy infrastructure; it aimed to lift 2,000 low-income families in Cali out of poverty by reducing energy bills.
Simultaneously, it sought to lessen the government’s reliance on subsidization by reallocating money from energy subsidies to the solar initiative. This Cali-specific investment comprised 36,800 million Colombian pesos (COP), about $9 million.
Implementation and Impact
As of August 2025, Colombia Solar successfully installed photovoltaic systems in 1,860 low-income households in the Potrero Grande and Llano Verde neighborhoods, according to Minister of Mines and Energy Edwin Palma. In September of the same year, these programs urged the solar project to continue reducing poverty in Cali, aiming for their goal of 2,000 households.
The results have been significant. Increased solar energy usage has reduced most sustainable households’ electric bills by 40% to 60%, with some reporting no charges at all. “This program is a blessing. Before, I had to stop using the fan or blender because the energy consumption skyrocketed. We were paying up to 230,000 pesos a month; now the bill is down 100,000 pesos. It is a huge help for my family,” beneficiary Bellanira Guzmán said.
The Bigger Picture
Colombia Reports indicates that while extreme poverty has decreased in the last 10 years, urban poverty was still at 30% in 2022. Disparities have worsened in areas like food and housing deficiency in the last five years.
The city organizes its social classes in categories one through six, with six being the highest class and one the lowest. Neighborhoods are organized according to these metrics. This recent program, aimed at Cali’s three lowest social strata, relieved significant financial burdens on thousands of people dealing with these disparities.
Colombia Solar’s program has shown that measures of equity and renewability can have real, sustainable impacts on well-being. Aiming this initiative at Cali’s three lowest social strata has relieved significant financial burdens, allowing them to narrow the wealth gap with higher economic strata.
Beyond poverty reduction, Colombia Solar has impacted the country’s energy industry. From 2025 to 2026, Colombia’s solar energy market grew by 0.7%, showing its effect on larger markets as well as locally. The report estimates additional growth up to 8% by 2031.
This economic growth could potentially create 25,000 jobs in Colombia’s renewable energy industry nationwide as the broader Colombia Solar program, backed by a separate 8.35 trillion COP (about $2.2 billion) national investment, expands to more than 1 million low-income households between 2026 and 2030. The government already provides tax breaks and subsidies for businesses using renewable energy resources, covering installation costs.
While installations can be expensive, results clearly show that long-term savings on bills are worthwhile.
Why Cali’s Case Matters
The advantages of this solar project in Cali are abundant. It has brought prosperity to impoverished populations and positively impacted larger economic markets with job creation and the growth of renewable energy industries.
The use of renewable energy in Cali demonstrates that sustainability, poverty reduction and market prosperity can work together.
– Aren Lau
Photo: Pexels